Piper PA-24-250 Comanche, N6785P: Accident occurred March 21, 2018 at Starke County Airport (KOXI), Knox, Indiana

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; DuPage, Illinois 

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

 http://registry.faa.gov/N6785P

Location: Knox, IN
Accident Number: GAA18CA195
Date & Time: 03/21/2018, 1655 CDT
Registration: N6785P
Aircraft: PIPER PA24
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Instructional 

The flight instructor reported that, during landing, while the student pilot was flying, the airplane ballooned. He added that he took the flight controls and landed on the runway.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.

The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Student Pilot Information

Certificate: Student
Age: 40, Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/11/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: (Estimated) 35.1 hours (Total, all aircraft), 7.3 hours (Total, this make and model), 14.5 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 4.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1.9 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Flight Instructor Information

Certificate: Flight Instructor; Commercial
Age: 54, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 3-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 10/02/2017
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/01/2017
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 2024 hours (Total, all aircraft), 15 hours (Total, this make and model), 1896.4 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 200 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 75 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 5 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Manufacturer: PIPER
Registration: N6785P
Model/Series: PA24 250
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1960
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 24-1916
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/01/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 3000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 6049.1 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: LYCOMING
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-A
Registered Owner: AZAM ZAYED
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KPPO, 811 ft msl
Observation Time: 2155 UTC
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 348°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 2°C / -8°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 16 knots/ 20 knots, 330°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.12 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: GRIFFITH, IN (05C)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Knox, IN (OXI)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1430 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: STARKE COUNTY (OXI)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 684 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 36
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4401 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full Stop; Traffic Pattern

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude:  41.325556, -86.662222 (est)